Read pleased with first hitout after injury
AUCKLAND: All Black captain Kieran Read made a successful return from a longterm back injury yesterday afternoon.
Read played the first 40 minutes of a preseason Mitre 10 Cup fixture for a Counties Manukau Selection in a 2626 draw against a Tasman Selection in Auckland.
Read was heavily involved from No 8, running the ball strongly, grabbing some lineout ball and making plenty of tackles.
‘‘My body is actually OK. It is a bit tired,’’ Read said after the match.
‘‘Today really was just to go out and get a bit of contact, take a few hits, make some tackles and really just enjoy the game.
‘‘We got through all that with no adverse effects on the body.
‘‘It is going to be a step up going back to Super Rugby. It was good to get that hitout so now it is up to the coaches to decide how they want to use me.
‘‘Maybe in a smaller way off the bench or something next week.’’
It is the first appearance in Counties Manukau colours in 14 years for Read, since he ruptured his ACL playing for the union’s academy side in 2004.
The longtime Crusaders and Canterbury representative grew up in the Counties Manukau region and played with the union as an agegrade player before moving south once he burst on to the professional scene.
‘‘Once I signed with Counties it was always a goal of mine to try and get a game in. I know it isn’t an official game but it is still cool to pull on the colours,’’ the 32yearold said.
‘‘It was cool to play in front of Dad. I spent my life here growing up. He always took me along to Growers [Stadium] to watch on the bank so it is pretty cool to come back and I think he was pretty proud today.’’
The sevenmonth injury layoff has almost been like a sabbatical for the 109test All Black. Although noone likes being injured or sitting on the side lines Read concedes there is some silver lining to the injury break.
‘‘I miss rugby but it has been great for me, personally, with my family, to spend a bit more time with them.
‘‘The body actually feels pretty good. You’re not getting that car crash that you get week in and week out in Super Rugby.
‘‘Hopefully, there will be bigger benefits for me for the rest of this year and, hopefully, heading into next year. That is what I am aiming for.’’
All Blacks and Crusaders forwards Jordan Taufua and Tim Perry also got through the match unscathed playing for Tasman.
A crowd of close to 1000 people turned up at the local club ground to see the All Blacks captain up close and to get an autograph. — NZME
GOVT COMMITS FUNDS
WELLINGTON: The Government is committed to lifting the profile of women’s sport and will contribute financially to New Zealand hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup, but sports minister Grant Roberston will not reveal how much.
New Zealand Rugby is one of six bidders hoping to host the 2021 World Cup — Australia, England, France, Portugal and Wales are also in contention.
The six unions have until midAugust to formally submit their bids to World Rugby.
The host is expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Roberston said he had had some preliminary discussions with NZR about government support.
‘‘We are yet to see their full proposal, but I’m very happy to sit down with the rugby union and work out what level of contribution from the Government is needed.
‘‘I think there’s a unique opportunity for New Zealand to lift the visibility of women’s sport to show that we value it more than we have in the past and to capitalise on the increased interest there is.’’
Roberston said he would see winning the hosting rights for the World Cup as a priority.
‘‘There are a number of other major women’s sports event that are on the horizon for New Zealand to host potentially but the Women’s World Cup is one that would be very attractive for New Zealanders to support and be a part of,’’ he said. — RNZ